Message from Council Member Kevin Reich

The Transportation & Public Works Committee, which I chair, recently recommended authorizing City officials to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the Clean Water Fund Grant Program to provide Minneapolis property owners with financial assistance for repairs to private sewer services. After being authorized by the full Council, this grant program will start February 14.

This should be a welcome resource for property owners facing the need to repair or replace their leaking sanitary sewer services to reduce excessive flow of clear water into the regional sanitary sewer system. Clear water gets into sanitary sewers in a number of ways, including from leaky lateral pipes that run from houses to the street sewer pipe and from foundation drains that are connected to the sewer system. There are significant environmental and financial costs associated with this problem. Inflow and infiltration can cause sewage backups into homes. Clear water that gets into the sewer is then treated and discharged into a river instead of infiltrating into groundwater aquifers. Property owners also pay for the unnecessary treatment of the clear water through their municipal utility bills.

Through the Clean Water Fund Grant program, funds are available to any property owner with sewer repairs on or after July 1, 2013. Property owners can receive a reimbursement for one-third the cost of the inspection and eligible repairs, up to a maximum of $2,000.

Funds are limited, so if you are interested in taking advantage of this program, you should act quickly. Applications will be accepted beginning February 14, 2013.  A link to more information about the program and the process will be available at http://www.minneapolismn.gov/publicworks/sewers/sewers_repairs beginning Monday, February 10. If you have any questions about this grant program, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 612-673-2201.

Lowry Avenue NE Workshop – February 27

Hennepin County, in cooperation with the City of Minneapolis, the northeast neighborhoods and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, is hosting the first public workshop for the Lowry Avenue NE plan on Thursday, February 27, 6 – 8 p.m., at Edison High School Media Room, 700 22nd Avenue NE. The workshop will begin with a short presentation on recently gathered corridor information followed by a series of community input activities focused on transportation and economic opportunities along the corridor and at the six study intersections. Please plan on staying for the entire workshop. For more information, contact Carol Anderson at Carol.Anderson@hennepin.us and watch the project webpage for updates: http://www.hennepin.us/residents/transportation/lowry-avenue-community-works.

Watch for Temporary “No Parking” Signs

Because of snow and ice buildup along curbs, some streets are getting too narrow for fire trucks, ambulances and transit buses to get around. To ensure that the streets are open for emergency vehicles, “No Parking” signs will be posted in some locations. In some cases, crews will work to remove some of the accumulated snow and ice, as resources allow.

Look for and follow the “No Parking” signs, and please help remind your neighbors to do the same. If you park in a spot posted for “No Parking”, you may receive a ticket, and your car may be towed to the impound lot.

If we get more snowfall in the coming weeks, it may be necessary to impose Winter Parking Restrictions (a city-wide, one-side parking ban on non-Snow Emergency Routes) to help ensure that firefighters, medics and other emergency workers can reach homes and businesses on every street. If you have questions about this work, please call the Ward 1 Office at 612-673-2201 or 311.

Mpls Boards & Commissions Openings

Applications are now being accepted for a number of open board and commission positions that the City Council and mayor will appoint this spring. Board and commission members in the City of Minneapolis provide valuable insights, help shape key policy decisions and provide community-based input into administration of services. The City is seeking applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to strengthen the work of the City. There are more than 40 open positions on the following six City boards and commissions: Civil Rights Commission Bicycle Advisory Committee Workforce Council Public Health Advisory Committee Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission Pedestrian Advisory Committee Applications will be reviewed beginning April 25, but the positions are open until filled. Visit the City’s website for a full list of appointment opportunities and position descriptions.

Free Mini-MBA Course for Mpls Businesses

The Minneapolis office of the US Small Business Administration is offering a free intensive training course to area businesses. The Emerging Entrepreneurs training is open to small businesses located in the Minneapolis metro area with annual revenues between $400,000 and $10 million that have been in business for at least three years. The only costs are the business owner’s time and commitment to complete the curriculum. Participants should anticipate 100 hours of combined classroom, homework and peer-to-peer mentoring. A few of the past 22 Minneapolis participants include: Alexander’s Import Auto Repair, CorAzon, Gandhi Mahal, Guaranty Commercial Title, Manny’s Tortas and Mother Earth Gardens.

Thirteen classes will begin early/mid April and run through early November. Interested small business owners are invited to learn more about the initiative and request to have the one page application emailed by contacting the SBA office: Cindy Collett at 612-370-2312, cynthia.collett@sba.gov or Katherine Roth at 612-370-2320, katherine.roth@sba.gov. Applications are due March 11.

6th Annual “We Love Our Presidents” Walk

Join your friends and neighbors for this annual stroll of Northeast Minneapolis’ presidential streets on Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The walk begins at Edison High School, 700 22nd Avenue NE, at 10:15 and proceeds 1.5 miles to Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes Street NE, with a cocoa stop at Eastside Food Co-op. This year’s theme is Presidential First Ladies, so dress as your favorite one for extra fun and prizes. A chili lunch, games and contests will be hosted at Northeast Middle School from noon to 1 p.m. Visit the We Love Our Presidents Facebook page for further information.

Order a Compost Bin or Rain Barrel

Get a jump start on gardening by ordering a $55 compost bin or a $69 rain barrel for your home (they regularly cost $106 and $139). 

By using a compost bin, you can keep more than a quarter of your household waste out of the garbage while making valuable compost for your garden. A rain barrel will help you save water and money by using rainwater rather than the faucet for your garden and trees. Rain barrels are also a way of trapping the stormwater that runs toward the storm drains – picking up pollutants along the way – and into our lakes, streams and rivers.

You will pick up your compost bin or rain barrel in Minneapolis Saturday, April 26, from the Recycling Association of Minnesota. To pre-order now or to find more information, go to www.recycleminnesota.org/ram-store/ram-sale-events. 

Save the Date Calendar:

Soup for Art: An MPAC Fundraiser Monday, Feb. 10, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Edison High School Cafeteria, 700 22nd Ave NE. An all-you-can-eat soup supper fundraiser prepared by NE chefs and celebrities to benefit public art projects in Northeast. $10/adults, $5/kids 12-17, under 12 free. Future Tommie Night Basketball Monday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m., Edison High School Gym, 700 22nd Ave NE. Participate in pre-game and halftime activities like a dance contest and relay races and watch the Edison-West Lutheran Academy girls’ basketball game. $6/adults, $4/high school students. All K-8 students free with paid adult. Nicollet Mall Redesign Ideas & Update Meeting Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Pohlad Hall at Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Presentation and Q&A at 5:15 p.m. For further information, visit www.nicolletmallproject.com. Edison Family Tour Thursday, Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m., Edison High School, 700 22nd Ave NE. Learn about Edison’s rigorous academic programs, including IB, arts offerings, and community, local and national business partnerships. Meet administration, teachers, staff, and students. For further information or to RSVP, contact Pamela Vertina at 612-668-1310 or pamela.vertina@mpls.k12.mn.us. Northeast Middle School Wellness Day Friday, Feb. 21, 4 – 8 p.m., Northeast Middle School, 2955 Hayes St. NE.  All ages are welcome to this fun and fitness extravaganza. Roller skating, photo booth, cake walk, 3-land bungee, human hamster ball and swimming are just some of the many activities available. There will be a 2K and 5K at 5 p.m. $15 for a wristband (which includes a meal) or $1 per ticket. “The Mousetrap” Thursday, March 6 – Saturday, March 8, 7 p.m., Edison High School, 700 22nd Avenue NE. $5/adults and $4/students for this popular stage adaptation of an Agatha Christie murder mystery. 2014 Community Connections Conference Saturday, March 22, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Minneapolis Convention Center.  Dr. Verna Cornelia Price    is the keynote speaker at this conference which explores how communities and organizations can work with and influence city government. Visit http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/CommunityConnectionsConference for more information.